Be aware of this modus operandi of pickpocket-ers. Two of my teammates lost their cellphones by the same strategy inside the bus. The gang is composed of at least three members. The first member will plant bubble gum to the hair of the unaware victim while he is on his way off the bus or probably to another seat just to pass by at your side. The accomplice then will notify you that someone had just placed a bubble to the victim’s hair. Since knowing that the bubble gum is hard to get rid of, the prey will be so busy in removing such gum. Without noticing it, the one seated beside him or her is another accomplice. So quick that one won’t recognize it.

It was only after their petty crime stories were narrated I realized that I was almost victimized by the Bubble Gang. The variation of it is instead of dropping the bubble gum to those who had long hair, the first member will spit behind. More disgusting isn’t it? Of course, my hair was short that I can obviously feel that something fell to my head.

I remember I took my cellphone out to check the SMS message. I thought it was an EGN page. The first person seated behind somewhere may have seen those or someone beside me signaled it. Then the friendly accomplice told me that someone had just spitted on my back. At first, I ignored that person directly behind me because I was not hearing and fully understood what he’s saying. But he was insistent to help that he even pat me and showed that disgusting spit.

The third member had tried to snatched my cellphone from my pocket. Fortunately, he failed and I was about to get off the bus.

Another teammate remarked that he was lucky that he looks sanggano and kawatans are intimidated and thinks twice before victimizing him.

I was held up before and was really vigilant and observant since then. My lessons are

1. Never take the seat along the driver’s when riding the jeepney. You don’t know who will sit beside you.
2. Be very observant in those who get into the bus. If they come in as a batch and they disperse, start hiding your valuables before they declare holdup.
3. The view is nice but don’t take the seat near the window. Always sit near the aisle.
4. As much as possible, do not take standing-vehicle only transports. The more the passengers are compressed, the more chances of snatchers’ winning.
5. Most importantly, if not urgent, don’t take out the cellphone or display your music players. They are really hot in their eyes.
6. Stoplights are the snatchers’ watch. They go as the stoplight goes.
7. Be observant when your seatmate is picking something even from his pocket. You don’t know what pocket is next.
8. Change positions but also pay attention to those who also do.
9. Place belongings securely.
10. Never trust a stranger.